/ Cramp

Had a great walk over Black Hill and one or two other spots in the Dark Peak yesterday and after about 10km of reasonably hard walking over very unpleasant terrain (tussocky/boggy/ice/snow) I got a really bad cramp in my left thigh/groan area. It was so painful it stopped me in my tracks. I managed to walk through it in the end although there was always a dull throb and threat of a return if I had to really stretch for a step.

This happens to me every time I go for a decent length walk with cramps in my thighs, hamstrings or calves. I'm generally fit otherwise so there must be something else at play.

for me it's usualy over exertion or dehydration that brings it on or...

too much salt on last nights chips, so drink plenty, try tonic water (something about the quinnine in it) seems to help, i think for me it's mostly about getting a level salt intake cos i only ever put salt on chips

In reply to TheDrunkenBakers:
In me it's usually in the quads above my knees . don't know what brings it on specifically, but instant relief comes in the shape of one of those small salt packs one finds in macdonalds .

I suffer from agonising and debilitating thigh cramps after hard days (usually up to 2 hours afterwards, especially if I am inactive such as in a car or bivvy). I have tried everything and would kill for a reliable way of avoiding it. Drink lots preferably with electrolytes. Tonic water. Preemptive stretching and vigourous massaging seems to help. Apparently it is a lack of Potassium and Magnesium rather than Sodium which is the problem (though I think some salt can help fluid take up); I take magnesium and potassium aspartate capsules. Mine are by a company called "Now" and can be ordered online.